Promising Start to one’s Career

UAS graduates not only easily find a job after their studies, they also earn well. Is this really true? The latter has been proven by a study of the International Centre for Higher Education Research of the University of Kassel for the German-speaking region.

After 1.5 years of employment, a UAS graduate with a Bachelor’s degree earns on average 2381 Euros, with a Master’s 3248 Euros. In comparison, a graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from a traditional university earns 2241 Euros, with a Master’s 2803 Euros. In addition to that, UAS graduates are seldom affected by unemployment, which most recently amounted to a constant low level of 2%. Why is that so? UASs are in step with business and respond accordingly by producing a sought-after workforce. In addition, UAS students prove their know-how already during their work placements and in project papers. In doing so, they have real experience that can be mentioned in job applications and elaborated on in interviews. Depending on the course of studies and the individual motivation and dedication, graduates can often even choose between a number of future employers.

Applying skills effectively
The early bird catches the worm. In accordance with that proverb, UAS students receive answers to the following questions already during their education: How do I best present myself? How do I establish a network? Which influence does my body language have on the course of the interview? With the necessary tools and decisive soft skills, it is easy to present oneself effectively on the labour market after completing one’s studies. However, even beforehand there are opportunities to make useful contacts.

Using networks in a targeted way
At many UASs, job fairs now have a long tradition. Students meet potential employers there and can start up conversations with them, gaining a first impression of the organisation. The businesses represented often present specific job vacancies to be filled. Or they present their own trainee programmes that offer participants the chance to get to know the organisation on a number of different levels, enabling the trainee to acquire qualifications necessary to quickly climb the career ladder.

Answering basic questions
In order to know in which industry and area the career ladder should lead, it is important to ask oneself certain basic questions already during one’s studies: Do I want to work in the private economy? If so, should it be a small, regional business, or do I belong in a large, maybe even international, company? Do I find the public sector attractive? Do I want to get involved in a NPO? Does work in a research organisation pique my interest, or do I want to work directly with clients and customers? According to the skills required there, it is necessary to plan the acquisition of additional qualifications. That could happen, for example, through the selection of related areas of specialisation. For the participation in a start-up company in the IT sector, Java certification would be sensible. For work in a big cooperation with its focus in Eastern Europe, this would mean – in addition to English – knowledge of an Eastern European language.

The advantage of being willing to relocate
UAS graduates are much more mobile in comparison to their counterparts from other institutions of tertiary education. One of the reasons for this is that the locations of UASs are spread out more on a regional level than traditional universities. Even though it is easier to study at a UAS close to one’s hometown or city, this is often not possible when on the labour market. As a result, it is important to stay open to and consider all the options life offers after studying at a University of Applied Sciences.